Centrifugal dividing mechanism.



G. L. SOUTHARD.

CENTRIFUGAL mvmme MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 3, l9l5. v

Patented July 4, 1916.

5 SHEETS-SHEET I.

G. L. SOUTHARD.

CENTRIFUGAL QIVIDING MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 3, I915.

Patented July 4, 1916i 5 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

G. L. SOUTHARD.

CENTRIFUGAL DIVIDING MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 3. 1915.

Patented July 4, 1916.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

Patented J uly 4, 1916.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 4- e. L SOU'THARD. CENTRIFUGAL DIVIDING MECHANlSM.

APPLICATION FILED MAY3.1915- v nus mums rsrsns r0" swomumo msnmcmu. o. c

G. L. sounman. CENTRIFUGAL DIVIDING MECHANESM.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 3, 1915.

Patented July 4, 1916.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 5.

EEG?

G. L. SOUTHARD.

CENTRIFUGAL mvmme MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 3. I915.

1,1 89,748. Patented July 4, 1916.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 6.

GEORGE LEE SOUTHARD, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOB TO THE UNITED STATESGYPSUM COMPANY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY.

CENTRIFUGAL DIVIDING MECHANISM.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 4, 1916.

, Application filed May 3, 1915. Serial No. 25,438.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GEORGE LEE Soo'rrmnn, a citizen of the UnitedStates, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State ofIllinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inCentrifugal Dividing Mechanism, of which the following is aspecification.

This invention relates in general to a mechanism for automaticallydividing a quantity of any granular material, which may be of knownweight, into a plurality of equal parts and more specifically to amechanism adapted to deposit the divided portions in suitablereceptacles, such as bags.

The principle involved in my present invention is the utilization ofcentrifugal force to move the constituent particles of a mass ofmaterial supplied at the center of a circular revolving table graduallyoutward to the periphery where it is allowed to fall into a plurality ofreceptacles. Vhile the use of centrifugal force has heretofore beensuggested for this purpose, the many defects of the machines of theprior art have prevented them from coming into general use, particularlywhere a large capacity is a prime requisite.

It is an object, therefore, of my invention to provide an improvedcentrifugal mechanism of relatively large capacity for dividing weighedquantities of granular material into a plurality of equal parts anddepositing the material in separate containers.

A further object of my invention is the provision of a closed systemwhereby the air trapped in the mixing and dividing mechanism iscirculated therebetween and the annoyance and loss of materialconsequent to the formation of dust clouds during the operation of themachine is eliminated.

Further objects of my invention are the provision of means whereby thematerial to be divided is fed gradually to the centrifugal mechanism sothat uneven operation and choking is prevented; means for adjusting thefeeding means with reference to the centrifugal mechanism; adjustablemeans for supporting the receptacles to receive the material, wherebythese receptacles are held in distended position, and means whereby thereceptacles may be removed from the machine, when full, atthe operatorsstation so that unnecessary handling of the filled receptacles iseliminated.

Further objects and advantages of my in vention will be apparent as itis better understood by reference to the following specificat1on whenread in connect-ion with the accompanying drawings in which Figure l isan elevation partially in sec t1on of a complete system for weighing,mixing and dividing the material with reference particularly to the aircirculating and vent mg means; Fig. 2 is a vertical section through thedividing-mechanism; Fig. 3 is a plan View of the hopper from which thematerial is supplied to the dividing mechanism; Fig. 4 is a verticalsection on the line 4:4: of Fig. 2; Fig. 5 is a vertical section on theline 55 of Fig. 2; Fig. 6 is a horizontal section on the line 66 of Fig.2; Fig. 7 is a side elevation partially in section of a portion of thedevice, showing the receptacle supporting means; Fig. 8 is a sideelevation of the receptacle distending means; Fig. 9 is a horizontalsection of a portion of the device showing the receptacle supportingmeans; Fig. 10 is a perspective view of one of the receptacle supportingmeans; Fig. 11 is a vertical section on the line 1111 of Fig. 9; Fig. 12is a detail in elevation of the means for supporting and leveling thedrum carrying the receptacle supporting means; and Fig. 13 is a verticalsection on the line 1313 of Fig. 12.

Referring to Fig. 1 of the drawings, 1 indicates a suitable supportingframework, the horizontal members 2 of which may support the floors of abuilding in which themechanism is housed. A hopper 3 is provided andadapted to contain asupply of material to be divided. 4; indicates thehopper of a weighing machine, preferably capable of holding a ton ofmaterial and connected to the hopper 3 by means of a chute 5, a bellowsconnection 6 being provided so that the hopper 4 may move verticallyduring the weighing operation. A mixer 7 of any suitable type, of whichthe Broughton mixer is an example, is dis posed beneath the hopper 4., aloose connection being provided therebetween to allow vertical movementof the hopper 4. Beneath the mixer 7 the hopper 8 of the dividingmechanism, presently to be described,

is disposed to receive material from the mixer 7 at intervals, after themixing operation has been completed,,through suitable gates (not shown)and deliver it to the dividing mechanism disposed within the hood 9. Avent pipe 10 connects the interior of the hood 9 with the interior ofthe mixer 7. A second pipe 11 connects the pipe 10 and the interior ofthe mixer 7 with a pipe 12, leading from the interior of the weighinghopper 4 to a stack 13which passes through the roof of the building. Itwill be readily understood that the hood 9, the mixer 7 and the weighinghopper 4 are thereby connected with each other and with the exterior ofthe building so that air, carrying dust, in the form of dust clouds,resulting from the operation of the machine, will either circulatebetween the respective units constituting the system or will pass fromthe building through the stack 13. For example, when material is beingdumped from the weighing hopper 4 into the mixer 7, both of which areclosed receptacles, the air within the mixer will be displaced while acorresponding space will be formed in theweighing hopper 4 which must befilled with air. The circulation of the air between the separate unitsresults in a considerable saving since a large amount of fine materialwhich would otherwise be lost as dust is retained in the system.

The particular construction of the weighing and mixing devices forms nopart of, my present invention. The dividing mechanism, however,discloses features of novelty and will now be described (Figs. 2, 3).The hopper 8 comprises a pair of elongated troughs formed by a hog-back14 disposed therein. A driving shaft 15 is j ournaled in suitablebrackets 16 and 17 and passes into the hopper 8 beneath the hog-back 14to a point midway thereof. The shaft 15 is adapted to be driven by meansof a sprocket 18 loosely mounted thereon and preferably connected by achain 19 to a sprocket 20 secured to the driving shaft of the mixer 7. Aclutch member 21 is secured to the shaft 15 and adapted to engage asimilar clutch member 22 secured to the sprocket 18, whereby the shaft15 may either be driven from the mixer shaft or controlled irrespectivethereof. A'gear 23, secured to the shaft 15, meshes with a gear 24secured to the conveyer shaft 25 journaled in the brackets 16 at eitherend of the hopper 8 and passing through suitable glands 26 in the endwalls thereof. A shaft 27 is similarly mounted in the hopper 8 upon theopposite side of the hog-back 14 and driven from the shaft 25 by meansof gears 28 and idler-s 29. Each of the shafts 25 and 27 are providedwith right and left hand screw conveyers, 30 adapted, when the shafts 25and 27 are driven, to move the materialin the hopper 8 toward the middleand in toward the cen- The bolt holes in the collar 34 are slightlyenlarged, as shown in Fig. 4, to allow lateral adjustment of the collar.

A bevel gear 38 is secured to the inner end of the shaft 15 and mesheswith a bevel gear 39 on a vertical shaft 40, journaled in suitablebearings in the bracket 17. The

and is provided at its lower end with a circular table comprising threesheets 41 of steel or other suitable material of decreasing diameterfrom the upper to the lower sheet,

secured to the'end of the shaft 40 by a nut 42. The construction of thetable insures that it will remain level when once adjusted and that thetop surface of the circular plate 41 shall be equidistant during itsrotation from the lower edge of the extension member 35, therebyinsuring an equal annular discharge in all radial directions, so thatthe material discharged will move evenly outward to the periphery of thetable as it is revolved. The hood 9, previously referred to, is securedin any suitable manner to the chute 32 and is provided at its lower edgewith a 'dust curtain 43 of leather or other suitable material whichcooperates with the structure presently to be described to prevent airladen with dust from passing from the machine except through the ventpipe 10, as previously described.

Mounted on one or more circular base plates 44, secured to thefoundation is a ring 45 carrying a plurality of rollers 46. The ring 45is adjusted with respect to the base plate 44 by means of threaded bolts47. The ring 45 may thus be leveled when the machine is set up. Acurtain 48 prevents the entrance of foreign material into the interiorof the mechanism. A drum 49 is mounted to rotate on the rollers 46', theannular angle iron 50, secured to the drum 49, providing a track toengage the rollers 46.

Secured to the sides of the drum 49 are a plurality of vertical members51 provided with notches 52 adapted to receive the bails vertical shaft40 hangs from the bracket 17 53 of the chairs 54 which support thereceptacles in position to receive the material from the rotating table.The chairs 54 comprise steel sheets bent in the form indicated in Fig.10, the edges being turned back, as shown, to prevent tearing of thereceptacles. The individual chairs 54 are secured together by rivets, asshown in Fig. 7, and together form an annular member extending entirelyaround the drum 49. This member may be adjusted vertically, by insertingthe bails 53 in suitable notches 52 in the,

members 51, to support receptacles of different lengths.

Supported on an annular bracket 55, surrounding the drum 49, is anannular chute 56, one side of which abuts the drum 49 while the otherside closely approaches the dust curtain 43. Within the chute 56 aplurality of hog-backs 57 are provided, spaced at equal intervals aboutand dividing the chute into a plurality of individual chutes leading tothe outlets 58.

On opposite sides of the outlets 58 the members 59 and 60 are pivotallymounted, both members being provided with lips 61 adapted to engagethereceptacle and hold it in distended position during the fillingoperation. The member 59 is biased to receptacle-engaging position by aspring 62 disposed between the member 59 and a bracket 63 secured to theoutlet 58. The member (30 is provided with a latch 64 having notches 65therein adapted to engage a pin 66 secured to the outlet 58, whereby themember 60 may be adjustably disposed in receptacleengaging positiomas'is clearly indicated in Fig. 2. In arranging the receptacles forfilling, their open ends are disposed about the members 59 and 60, asshown in dotted lines in Fig. 2, with the bottoms of the receptaclesslightly raised above the chairs 54. As soon as a small quantity ofmaterial has been delivered to the receptacles they settle, until thebottoms engage the chairs, and thereafter the only function of themembers 59 and 60 is to retain the open ends in distended position toreceive the material from the outlets 58. It will be seen, therefore,that the receptacles are not subjected to stress during the fillingoperation but are maintained in position to receive the material. evenlyuntil the filling operation is com-- pleted.

Since the material divided in the present mechanism frequently containshair and often foreign matter, which escapes the prior separatingoperations, I provideone or more sweepers 67 secured to the under sideof the upper plate 41 of the rotatable table, the sweeper being adaptedto remove any material which may accumulate onthe upper edgesofhog-backs 57 in the chute 56. This prevents any disturbance of thedividing operation by the accumulation of mate rial on the hog-backs.

The operation of my mechanism will, it is thought, be apparent withoutfurther description of the structure thereof. Thematerial is weighed inthe weighing hopper 4; allowed to fall into the mixer 7 where it isthoroughly mixed by the mixing arms (not shown), and passes thence intothe hopper 8 of the dividing mecha nism.- The screw conveyers 30 movethe material gradually to the openings 31 where it falls into theconical chute 32 and passes through the outlet therefrom onto the upperplate 41 of the table. The outlet from the chute 32 is adjusted so thatits lower edge is disposed in a plane parallel to the table and so thatthe outlet is centered with respect to the table by manipulating thebolts 36. The distance between the outlet and the table may be regulatedby manipulating the extension member The table is constantly rotatedthrough its connection with the driving shaft 15 and the material movesgradually outward to the periphery of the table where it falls into theannular chute 56 and isseparated into equal portions by the hog-backs57. The portions fall through the outlets 58 into the receptacles andthe operation continues until all of the material in the hopper 8 isdisposed in the receptacles when it will be found that the weighedquantity of material has been evenly divided between the receptacleswith an error of less than 1%. The operator may then rotate the drum 49and remove the receptacles successively from the chairs 54, replacingempty receptacles in the chairs in preparation for the next operation.It will be seen that the filled receptacles are delivered at a singlepoint,

thus reducing the necessary amount of handling of the filledreceptacles. I

It will be readily understood that I have perfected a dividing-mechanismof large capacity, the mechanism being capable-of handling a ton or moreof material at each ops eration and requiring no supervision other thanto replace the filled receptacles at each operation;

It will be obvious that various changes may be made in the form,construction and arrangement of the parts without departing from thespirit and scope of the invention or sacrificing any-of its materialadvantages, the form hereinbefore described being merely a preferredembodiment thereof.

I claim:

1. In a centrifugal dividing mechanism, the combination of a rotatabletable, means for rotating said table. means for delivering material tosaid'table, means for adjusting the outlet of said delivery means to aplane parallel to the plane of said table, and means for separatmgthematerial into equal portions as it flows from the periphery of saidtable.

In a centrifugal dividing mechanism,

the combination of a rotatable table. means for rotating said table,means for delivering material to said table. means for adjusting theoutlet of said delivery means laterally to center said outlet withrespect to said table. and means for separating the material into equalportions as it flows from the periphery of said table.

3. In a centrifugal dividing mechanism,

the combination of a rotatable table, means for rotating said table, ahopper adapted to hold a quantity of material, a chute for deliveringmaterial to said table, means in said hopper to constantly delivermaterial to said chute, and means for separating the material into equalportions as it flows from the periphery of said table.

4. In a centrifugal dividing mechanism, the combination of a rotatabletable, means forfrotating said table, a hopper adapted to hold aquantity of material, a chute for delivering material to said table,means in said hopper to divide it into a plurality of troughs, means insaid troughs to move the material toward and deliver it to said chute,and means for separating the material into equal portions as it flowsfrom the periphery of said table.

I 5. In a centrifugal dividing mechanism, the combination of a rotatabletable, means for rotating said table, an elongated hopper adapted tohold a quantity of material and having openings in the bottom thereof, a

-- chute communicating with said openings for delivering material tosaid table, means in said hopper to divide it into a plurality oftroughs, conveyers in said troughs to move the material toward saidopenings, and means for separating the material into equal portions asit flows from the periphery of said table. a

I 6, In a centrifugal dividing mechanism, the combination of a rotatabletable, means for rotating said table, a hopper adapted to hold aquantity of material, a chute for delivering material to said table,means for adjusting the outlet of said chute relatively to said table,means in said hopper to constantly deliver material to said chute, andmeans for separating the material into equal portions as it flows fromthe periphery of said table. e

7. In a centrifugal dividing mechanism, the combination of a rotatabletable, means for rotating said table, an elongated hopper adapted tohold a quantity of material and having openings'in the bottom thereof, a

[chute communicating with said openings for delivering material to saidtable, means for ad usting the outlet of sald chute rela- V tively tosaid table, means in said hopper to divide it into a plurality oftroughs, a screw 'conveyer in each of said troughs to move the materialtoward said openings, and

' means for separating the material into equal portions as it flows fromthe periphery of said table. 7

8. In a centrifugal dividing mechanism, the combination of arotatable-table, a vertical shaft therefor, means for supporting saidshaft above said table, means for driving said shaft, a hopper adaptedto contain a quantity of material, means for constantly deliveringmaterial from said hopper to said table, a dust-hood disposed above saidtable and provided With a vent, and means for separating the materialinto equal portions as it flows from the periphery of said table. 1

9. In a centrifugal dividing mechanism, the combination of a rotatabletable, means for rotating said table, a hopper adapted to hold aquantity of material, a chute fordelivering material to said table,means in said hopper toconstantly deliver materialv to said chute, anannular chute surrounding said table, and means in said annular chute toseparate the material into equal portions as it flows from the peripheryof said table.

10. In a centrifugal dividing mechanism, thecombination of a rotatabletable, means for rotating said table, a hopper adapted to hold aquantity of material, a chute for de livering material to said table,means in said hopper to constantly deliver material to said chute, anannular chute surrounding said table, means in said annular chute toseparate the material into equal portions as y it flows from theperiphery of said table, and

a dust-hood disposedabove said table and annular chute.

11. In a centrifugal dividing mechanism,

the combination of a rotatable table, means for rotating said table, ahopper adapted to hold a quantity of material, means to constantlydeliver material from said hopper to said table, an annular chutesurrounding said table, means in said chute to separate the materialinto equal portions as it flows from the periphery of said table, andmeans for holding receptacles in distended position'to receive saidportions.

12. In a centrifugal dividing mechanism, the combination of a rotatabletable, means for rotating said table, a hopper adaptedhold a quantity ofmaterial, means to constantlydeliver material from said hopper to i saidtable, an annular chute'surrounding said table, means in said chute toseparate the material into equal portions as it flows from the peripheryofrsaid table, means for supporting a plurality of receptacles, andmeans for holding said receptacles in distended position toreceive' saidportions.

. 14, In a centrifugal dividing mechanism, the combination of arotatable table, means for rotating said table, a hopper adapted to holda quantity of material, means to conneath said table, an annular chutesecured to said drum, means in said chute to separate the material intoequal portions as it flows from said table, and receptacle supportingmeans carried by said drum.

16. I11 a centrifugal dividing mechanism, the combination of a rotatabletable, means for rotating said table, means for delivering material tosaid table, a normally stationary, rotatable drum disposed beneath asaid table, an annular chute secured to said drum, means in said chuteto separate the material into equal portions as it flows from saidtable, and receptacle supporting means adjustably mounted on said drum.

17. In a centrifugal dividing mechanism, the combination of a rotatabletable, means for rotating said table, means for delivering material tosaid table, a drum disposed beneath said table, adjustable means forsupporting said drum, an annular chute secured to said drum, means insaid chute to separate the material into equal portions as it flows fromsaid table, and receptacle supporting means carried by said drum.

18. In a centrifugal dividing mechanism, the combination of a rotatabletable, means for rotating said table, means for deliver- I ing materialto said table, a drum disposed beneath said table, an annular chutesecured to said drum, means in said chute to separate the material intoequal portions as it flows from said table, means carried by said tableto prevent accumulation of material on said separating means, andreceptacle supporting means carried by said drum.

19. In a centrifugal dividing mechanism, the combination of a rotatabletable, means for rotating said table, means for supplying material tosaid table, an annular chute surrounding said table, means in said chuteCopies of this patent may he obtained for to separate the material intoequal parts as it flows from said table, and means for distendingreceptacles in position to receive said parts comprising a plurality ofpivotally mounted members adapted to enter the mouth of the receptacle,one of said members being resiliently biased to engage said receptacle,and adjustable means for securing another of said members in engagementwith said receptacle.

20. In acentrifugal dividing mechanism, the combination of a rotatabledrum, notched members secured thereto, and receptacle supporting meanscomprising a plurality of chairs secured together to form an annularmember surrounding said drum and rotatable therewith, said chairs havingbails adapted to engage said notched member.

21. In a centrifugal dividing mechanism, the combination of a rotatabletable comprising a plurality of metal sheets secured together and ofprogressively decreasing diameter from the upper to the lower sheet,means for rotating said table, means for supplying material to saidtable, a drum beneath said table, an annular chute secured to said drumand surrounding said table, means in said chute to separate the-materialinto equal portions as it flows from the pe- "iphery of said table, ahood above said table and annular chute, and adjustable means to supportreceptacles in position to receive said portions.

22. In a centrifu al dividing mechanism, the combination or a rotatabletable comprising a plurality of metal sheets secured together and ofprogressively decreasing diameter from the upper to the lower sheet,means for rotating said table, means for supplying'material to saidtable, a drum beneath said table, an annular chute secured to said drumand surrounding said table, means in said chute to separate the materialinto equal portions as it flows from the periphery of said table, a hoodabove said table and annular chute, a vent pipe leading from said hood,and adjustable means to support receptacles in position to receive saidportions.

GEORGE LEE SOUTHARD.

Witnesses: V

WM. 0. BELT, HARRY E. SOUTHABD.

five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner oi. Patents, Washington,D. 0."

